Fire extinguisher



12, 1%)35. F. MOSSBERG 2,020,427

FIRE EXTINGUI SHER Filed July 3, 1954 6- v INVENTOR 2/ Ffi/I N/r MasmmBY 28' 2mm; 92*

ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES NT OFFICE FIREEXTINGUISHER Application July 3, 1934., Serial No. 733,544

3 Claims.

This invention relates to fire extinguishers, and particularlytoimprovements in that type of extinguisher which is adapted to release aliquid fire extinguishing agent automatically when the temperature inthe vicinity of the apparatus rises to a predetermined point.

In apparatus of the type described, a receptacle is provided for a fireextinguishing liquid, for example, carbon tetrachloride, and a gasgenerating agent such as an aqueous solution of ammonia. The apparatusis provided with a sprinkler head or similar distributor and an outletleading thereto, which is normally sealed but is adapted to be releasedwhen a fire occurs. Pressure developed l5 by the gas generating agentwhen the temperature rises forces the fire extinguishing agent throughthe outlet when the latter is release-d. The fire extinguishing agent isdistributed over the surrounding surface.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improvedapparatus wherein the release of the outlet under predeterminedconditions is made more certain and dependable, thereby increasing theefficiency of the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved outletcontrolling means adapted to assure increase-d sensitiveness to temperature in the vicinity of the apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understoodby reference to the specification and accompanying drawing, in whichFig. 1 is a vertical section through an apparatus embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the sprinkler head;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a plan detail of an element of the sprinkler head. I

In carrying out the invention, I provide a receptacle 5 which ispreferably made of aluminum, particularly if the liquids used thereinconsist of carbon tetrachloride and aqueous ammonia, because aluminumresists the corrosive .effect of these liquids in combination. Othermaterials may be used for the container, which may be of any shape orsize to meet particular requirements. The receptacle 5 is providedpreferably with a bail 6 to facilitate suspension. The positi-onof thereceptacle may be reversed so that the discharge is downwardly ratherthan upwardly, as

indicated.

An outlet pipe 1 extends from a point near the bottom of the receptacle5 to the top thereof, and terminates in a sprinkler head 8. If thesprinkler head is disposed at the bottom rather than at the top of thereceptacle 5, the pipe I may be omitted, being unnecessary when thecontents are permitted to escape from the bottom of the receptacle.

The sprinkler head 1 is of special construction 5 to embody the dual.control features of Patent No. 1,735,255, to which my improvements moreparticularly relate. An opening 9 in the sprinkler head receives anozzle l0. This nozzle is made of a steel alloy containing chromium inthe propor- 10 1 tion of, for example about 18-8%, or similar alloydesignated as stainless steel, which resists corrosion and is capable ofreceiving an adhering ring of low melting point solder. The nozzle isprovided with a central bore l l which is enlarged 15 at the lower end.The bore is closed at its outer end by a cap 12 also preferably ofstainless steel which is secured by a ring [3 of solder having acomposition well known in the art and adapted to be melted at atemperature which ensures the 20 release of the outlet when a fireoccurs in the vicinity of the apparatus. The cap I2 is providedpreferably with an indentation M which centers it by cooperation Withthe bore l l on the top of the nozzle. The outlet is thus normallyhermeti- '25 cally sealed until a fire occurs, but is then releasedautomatically.

Within the nozzle is is a thimble I5 secured by a press fit and havingan end I6 directed inwardly and preferably conical in form, withopenings I1 30 disposed about it. The openings permit egress of theliquid contents of the extinguisher and prevent the liquid fromacquiring a swirling motion which otherwise would tend to throw itoutwardly before it strikes a deflector H3 at the top of the 35sprinkler head 8. When the liquid is released as described, it issues asa direct stream from the mouth of the nozzle and strikes the deflectorwhich causes it to spread in all directions about the apparatus. Theeven distribution thus ef- 40 fected ensures the proper functioning ofthe extingm'sher.

-As a further control of the operation of the extinguisher, I provide adiaphragm [9 of thin metal, preferably gold foil, between two washers 520 and 2], the former having lugs 22 to engage slots 23 and 24 in thediaphragm l9 and opposing washer 2! respectively. The washers 20 and 2|are held between the shoulders 25 and 26 on the sprinkler head and theco-operating part 21 which 50 is threadedly connected thereto andsupports the outlet pipe I. The upper washer 20 has a large opening 28,and the lower washer 2| 2. smaller opening 28'. The diaphragm is adaptedto be ruptured when the pressure rises to a predeter- 55 mined point inthe receptacle 5, thus affording dual control and preventing release ofthe liquid contents before a sufiicient pressure is developed. Thediaphragm may be made of other metal such as platinum, silver oraluminum.

To protect the diaphragm from premature rupture before the cap I2 isreleased, I preferably fill the bore of the nozzle above the diaphragmwith a material 29 which is aliquid or semi-liquid at the temperature atwhich the apparatus is designed to operate. Vaseline and glycerin aresuitable materials. Low melting point waxes and similar materials can beused. When the conditions for operation exist, the cap I! is released bythe melting of the solder, the diaphragm I9 is ruptured by the pressuregenerated within the receptacle, and the liquid contents force thematerial 29 from the bore and are ejected against the deflector l8 whichdistributes the liquid over surrounding surfaces.

The structure as described has been subjected to many practical testsfor fire extinguishing characteristics and is certain and effective inoperation. It likewise ensures the protection and preservation of thecontents of the receptacle indefinitely, so that it is ready anddependable when a fire occurs. None of the contents can escape until thepredetermined fire conditions occur, and consequently the maximumpossible protection is assured at all times.

The various advantages of the invention are set forth herein, and theseand other advantages may be attained with numerous modifications of thestructure without departing from the invention or sacrificing theadvantages thereof.

I claim:

1. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle, a sprinkler head connectedthereto, a nozzle of noncorrosive steel in the sprinkler head, a capadapted to close the outlet from the nozzle, means sensitive totemperature of predetermined degree, normally holding the cap innozzle-closing position and adapted to release the cap at suchtemperature, and a frangible diaphragm at the inner end of the nozzle,said diaphragm being ruptur- 5 able in response to a predeterminedpressure, the space between said diaphragm and said cap beingsubstantially filled with a material which is substantially liquid atsuch temperatures and which under normal temperature conditions isexpella- 1o ble but maintained against expulsion by said cap.

2. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle, a sprinkler head connectedthereto, a nozzle, :1. cap adapted to close the outlet from the nozzle,means sensitive to temperature of predetermined degree, 15 normallyholding the cap in nozzle-closing position and adapted to release thecap at such temperature, and a frangible diaphragm at the inner end ofthe nozzle, said diaphragm being rupturable in response to apredetermined pressure, the 20 space between said diaphragm and said capbeing substantially filled with a material which is substantially liquidat such temperature and which under normal temperature conditions isexpellable but maintained against expulsion by said cap. 25

3. In a fire extinguisher, a receptacle, a sprinkler head connectedthereto, a nozzle, a cap adapted to close the outlet from the nozzle,means sensitive to fire temperatures normally holding the cap innozzle-closing position and adapted to re- 30 lease the cap at suchtemperature, a frangible diaphragm in the inner end of the nozzle, saiddiaphragm being rupturable in response to a predetermined pressure, andmeans between said diaphragm and said cap for normally reinforcing 35said diaphragm, said means under normal temperature conditions beingexpellable but maintained against expulsion by said cap.

FRANK MOSSBERG. 40

